Indian Physios don't want RCI as governing body for them!

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To

Honorable Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment,

Government of India, 

Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi-3

Sir

Sub: Recent Notice from Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment regarding proposed Amendment for Inclusion of Physiotherapists under the purview of Rehabilitation Council of India – 

           As per the recent “Public Notice” appear in the Official Website of “Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt of India”, inviting opinion from “Stake holders” on proposed Amendments in the “Rehabilitation Council of India Act 1992 (RCI), we came to understand that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is proposing to include “Physiotherapists” under the purview of “Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)” which is under Ministry of Social justice and Empowerment,  we Physiotherapists as “Stake Holders” hereby raise strong objection to the proposed Amendment to include Physiotherapists under Rehabilitation Council of India Act -1992. 

This is not a new attempt to include Physiotherapists under RCI. Similar attempt by notification was issued in the official Gazette of Government of India notification Reference number S.O. 901(E) dated 13th October 1998, The Indian Association of Physiotherapists (IAP) has filed a petition in Delhi High Court in 1998 challenging the inclusion of Physiotherapists under RCI .

  By the time court decides on this matter another official notification was published in the Gazette of India notification reference No: S.O.501(E) dated 25th June 1999 stating the earlier notification Reference number S.O. 901(E) dated 13th October 1998, regarding inclusion of Physiotherapists under the purview of RCI stands “Cancelled”. 

Hence “Physiotherapists” were excluded from the purview of RCI (Rehabilitation Council of India) as per the Govt of India Gazette notification S.O.501(E)dated 25th June 1999. 

 The current attempt to include Physiotherapists again under RCI is absolutely contradictory to your earlier notification and decision. We object to this proposed Amendment to include “Physiotherapists under Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) Act 1992 on following grounds.

1.) As per the major working area and specialties, Physiotherapists do not belong to Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. We Physiotherapists, belong to Ministry of Health as per International classifications of Health Workers.

2.) Physiotherapists deal with Women’s Health (Including Pre & Post Natal Care), Cardio Pulmonary, Orthopaedic Surgeries, Intensive Care managements, Sports Injuries, Geriatrics, General surgery, Plastic surgery Neurology and Neuro Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgeries including joint Replacements, Acute Injuries, CPR, Paediatrics, Disaster management Etc. Hence Physiotherapists should be under Ministry of Health only for Professional regulation. 

3.) UGC and Ministry of Health listed Physiotherapists as “Health Care professionals and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India has prepared Model Curriculum for Physiotherapy Program which is adopted as intellectual Property of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and UGC. Hence now inclusion Physiotherapist under RCI and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is contradicting the stance of Government between two Ministries. 

4.) Ministry of Health already finalized the “National Health care & allied professionals Bill 2020” in which Physiotherapists are included. This Bill is approved by the Cabinet, Govt of India and Parliamentary Standing Committee for Health, Govt of India and waiting for submission on the floor Parliament for passing. At this stage including Physiotherapists in Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) will dilute the entire attempt of Health Ministry.

5.) Along with above-mentioned, we strongly object the introduction of "Physiotherapy Assistant" course under RCI ambit. It has more implications on the health and safety of the patients and the physiotherapy community. Introduction of such Assistant course will be only decided by physiotherapists via regulatory council where physiotherapists accepted and enrolled. 

We fail to understand the urgent need to take this stance of inclusion of Physiotherapists under RCI, when Health Ministry has done so much ground work to regulate Physiotherapy profession. Moreover this is contradictory move taken by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and RCI during 1999. 

Hence we strongly object to this proposed Amendment to include “Physiotherapists” under the purview of “Rehabilitation Council of India Act 1992 and introducing "Physiotherapy Assistant" course and we request you to withdraw the notification issued by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. 

Thanking You,

Name:-

IAP number:-